Young adults given another chance

November 4, 2012

WHEELING - Young adults ages 17-22 are given another chance to succeed with the opening of the McCrary House, located at 110 North York St. in Wheeling. The McCrary House was opened by the Youth Service System. The purpose of this project will help the young adults that occupy the four walls a better chance to become successful adults.

"The apartments gives young folks a chance to become productive in society," said Pam Jeffers, the program manager for McCrary House.

Jeffers also said that the young adults who inhabit these apartments find a support system among the staff and other residents. It acts almost like a safety net.

"We are extremely happy it is finished, this is part of a transition," said John Moses, Youth Service System Executive Director, who has been with Youth Service System since 1980. "The real purpose is to give real life experience and using skills they already feel confident about managing on their own as adults."

The location that the McCrary House is where Blessed Trinity Grade School once was. Upon being acquired by the youth service agency up held several services over the years, before the move in 2009.

McCrary House has 10 apartments youth and young parents. Each apartment comes with its own bedroom and kitchen area; a handful of the apartments have two bedrooms.

The ground breaking of McCrary House, which took place a year ago, was made possible by Federal Home Loan Bank and Huntington Bank, which the Youth Service System applied for a grant and received $548,600. The project, including construction, $870,000.

"Our bankers at Huntington come to work each day with a passion to recognize, understand and meet the needs of the markets they serve. On behalf of our entire organization, we are proud that Huntington is the major funder for this extraordinary initiative. We are pleased to work with the partners to ensure that our youth have a real hope for the future and a place to begin to make their dreams come true, " said Mary Ann Homic, business banker for Huntington in the Ohio Valley.

Homic was one of the main bankers on this project.

The McCrary House is not the project that houses young adults, in New Martinsville, W. Va., the Tuel Center, a nine bed resident center that acts as a landing zone where staff can get to know new residents and what are some of their basic skills.

Nathaniel McDonald, who spoke at McCrary House opening on the help that the Tuel Center has given him. He will be a resident of McCrary House and will began his freshman year of college.